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World Anti-Doping Agency tests several Formula One drivers

March 6, 2013

Fernando Alonso was one of several drivers who recently got a visit from the World Anti-Doping Agency. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) spot-tested several Formula One drivers for drug abuse this week, including Fernando Alonso of Ferrari, Sergio Perez of McLaren and Daniel Ricciardo of Scuderia Toro Rosso.

WADA was established in 1999 as an international independent agency, funded equally by the Olympic Movement and national governments. Its role is to conduct scientific research and education, to develop anti-doping capabilities, and to monitor the World Anti-Doping Code.

This document harmonizes anti-doping policies in all sports and all countries, and was approved in 2003 by almost all major sports federations and nearly 80 national governments. WADA is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, and has regional offices covering Europe (in Lausanne, Switzerland), Latin America (Montevideo, Uruguay), Asia (Tokyo, Japan) and Africa (Cape Town, South Africa).

The FIA Medical Commission under the late Professor Sid Watkins operated its own anti-doping regulations until 2005, but tested F1 drivers only at race meetings. The governing body then asked WADA to provide more extensive testing. Drivers were henceforth required to advise of their whereabouts at all times, and could expect doping control officers to drop in unexpectedly anywhere in the world and demand urine and/or blood samples on the spot.

The FIA did not become a signatory to WADA's World Anti-Doping Code until December 2010, when it was careful to maintain its exclusive right to handle any appeals. Under the FIA rules, any driver testing positive during an in-competition test for traces of banned performance-enhancing or “recreational” substances will be automatically disqualified from the FIA championship in which he or she is competing, including the forfeiture of points and trophies.

Moreover, the FIA can revoke the driver's license for two years on the first violation, and for life for a second violation. The rules provide for an appeal before the FIA International Court of Appeal.

These latest tests were conducted by WADA teams in the drivers' homes, without warning and very early in the morning. Alonso said the testers knocked on his door at 6:40 a.m. Ricciardo tweeted: “Got drug tested early hours this morning… All of a sudden p***ing in your own home becomes difficult with someone staring over your shoulder.”

Neither the FIA nor WADA will normally comment on these drug tests unless they prove to be positive.